A passenger's lithium-ion battery ignited onboard an Air China flight from Hangzhou to Seoul Incheon on October 17, prompting a diversion and emergency response. The battery, likely a power bank, was stored in the overhead compartment, and the fire also affected luggage stored in the same area.
The crew managed to extinguish the blaze, and the aircraft was diverted to Shanghai Pudong Airport for inspection. No injuries were reported. The aircraft was subsequently taken out of service, and passengers were transferred to a replacement aircraft. They arrived in Seoul approximately five hours and fifteen minutes behind schedule.
Air China confirmed the incident, stating: “On October 18, on flight CA139 from Hangzhou to Incheon, a lithium battery in a passenger’s carry-on luggage stored in the overhead compartment spontaneously ignited.”
Incidents involving overheating lithium-ion batteries are not uncommon. Estimates suggest such events occur about once a week on US domestic flights alone, highlighting ongoing concerns over battery safety in air travel.
